The Indian men's hockey team defended its Asian Games title and earned a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with a 5‑1 win over Malaysia in the final held in Kakamigahara on Saturday, Oct 3.
Captained by Harmanpreet Singh, the side made history by becoming the first Indian men's squad to win successive Asian Games gold medals, a milestone the team achieved with a dominant performance.
Malaysia opened the match with a low defensive block that limited India's early attacks. The deadlock finally broke in the 12th minute when Hardik Singh fed a penalty corner to Harmanpreet, who dragged the ball past the keeper to give India the lead.
Just two minutes later, Shello Silverius answered for Malaysia, blasting a half‑volley from the left side of the circle into the roof of the net and restoring parity at 1‑1.
India reclaimed the advantage in the 23rd minute. After Shilanand Lakra earned a foul inside the circle, Jugraj Singh executed the ensuing penalty corner with a powerful drag‑flick, sending the score to 2‑1.
The teams entered halftime with India holding a slender lead, having withstood sustained pressure from the Malaysians.
In the 42nd minute Hardik Singh added a third goal from another penalty corner, placing the ball centrally as the Malaysian goalkeeper moved early to his right, making it 3‑1.
Abhishek extended the tally in the 55th minute, striking from open play to push the lead to 4‑1. Harmanpreet completed his brace shortly after, converting a final penalty corner with a fierce drag‑flick that curled into the top‑left corner.
The match ended 5‑1, confirming India as Asian Games champions and securing its berth for the LA28 Olympics. A day earlier, the Indian women's hockey team also won gold, defeating China 1‑0 and completing a historic double for Indian hockey at the Games.
Image: daijiworld.com
📰 Source: Daijiworld